10 Top Boutique Hotels in the Loire Valley

Located down a long oak-lined drive, this impressive chateau hotel has real wow factor, with regal chandelier-lined corridors paving the was to the enormous bedrooms which as awash with ornate wall fabrics, beautifully hung curtains, antique furniture and of course views of the magnificent grounds. Set within 40-hectares of parkland the property dates back to the 15th-century – the grounds were a favored hunting spot of King Louis XIII. Today the 4* hotel has 36 rooms and suites as well as a large outdoor swimming pool. On sunny evenings enjoy an aperitif in the hotel’s sitting room before venturing to the restaurant’s well-appointed terrace to enjoy the fine French fare surrounded by beautiful countryside. Check out the bar’s infamous cognac and Armagnac collection before heading to their humidor cellar!

Located a few kilometers from Amboise, Château de Pray was originally a fortress before becoming a grand Renaissance home. Today the four-star hotel is a member of the Châteaux et Hôtels Collection and boasts 19 guest rooms and suites, an outdoor swimming pool, and a charming terrace. It is just one hour from Paris by TGV. The property is situated in the heart of a lush park, flanked by historic towers. Each room is different with many featuring exposed beams, traditional canopy beds with bold floral linens, and antique furniture—some have french windows and four poster beds. The Orangerie also houses a fine dining restaurant with one Michelin star, offering locally sourced contemporary French cuisine. The cozy restaurant has a peaceful setting overlooking the castle’s courtyard.

With undisturbed views of Amboise’s Château Royal and the Loire River, this smart shutter-fronted hotel is built on the foundations of the old Minimes medieval monastery. The hotel has 13 comfortable guest rooms and two suites split across the main building and the hotel’s annex. Rooms are elegant with floor to ceiling windows flooding the interiors with light and showing off the warm ivory and gold color scheme in all of its glory.

The hotel prides itself on its personalized service and porters are on hand. There are various places to enjoy a beverage after a long day of sightseeing: the cozy lounge, the graceful library, or the terrace.

This grand castle, built by the famous perfumer F.Coty, is now a luxurious five-star hotel with great leisure facilities. With a spa, Turkish bath, and outdoor pool, this historic hotel is perfect for those seeking a little rest and relaxation, but there are also tennis courts and a fitness center for those feeling more energetic. There are 56 accommodations in total, with five different choices—from guest rooms and suites to entire apartments. All are tastefully decorated in traditional French style and boast views over the Indre’s valley, the French garden, the Château, or the park. The elegant fine dining restaurant, L’Origan, is set in a rotunda dining room with 18th-century woodwork with elegant gold leaf highlights throughout. Expect indulgent dishes such as hare royale stuffed with foie gras and truffles.

Surrounded by forests, a creek, and a picturesque rose garden, Château Laroche-Ploquin is an ideal country retreat for those seeking some time in the great outdoors. With fishing on its lake, trekking and hunting in its forests, and countless bridleways awaiting, the renaissance chateau certainly has lots to entertain you—they even have on-site stables for guests to bring their own horses with them. The hotel has 20 rooms and suites, all decorated in the style of Louis XV or Louis XVI; think elaborate drapes, exposed 18th century beams, and elegant floor to ceiling windows looking out across the park. Breakfast is a delight taken in the restaurant overlooking the hotel’s much photographed rose labyrinth.

Set within an extensive estate this 19th-century hunting lodge is a foodie’s dream, with elegant décor, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, and even its own cookery school. Located in Onzain, between Blois and Tours, it is a member of Relais & Chateaux. Surrounded by 70 hectares of garden and parkland it also has an array of leisure pursuits onsite; from a swimming pool and tennis courts to dedicated pétanque courts. The various ponds offer nature-lovers plenty of bird spotting opportunities. The historic pepper vine-clad hotel, complete with fairytale turret, has 31 stylish guest rooms and suites. Think statement wallpaper, exposed beam period furniture, and private terraces. There is a beautifully decorated family room in the carriage house. Make sure you book a table in its double-Michelin-starred restaurant where acclaimed chef Rémy Giraud serves up excellent seasonal dishes—if you stay in Autumn make the most of the game offering. Close to the iconic Château de Chaumont, this elegant hotel is a great base for exploring the region’s chateaux and ideal for those who enjoy country retreats and indulgent wining and dining.

Despite being a stone’s throw from busy Amboise, Relais du Silence Château de Perreux feels surprisingly secluded and is a great base for couples or families to explore the local Loire towns and chateaux. With rooms ranging from €132 – €315 this hotel is a great all rounder—it also has super service, characterful décor, and a welcoming atmosphere. Each room has its own style; for a romantic stay book room eight; located within the turret it feels like a cozy log cabin! For a blowout book spacious room number nine—it is the biggest room in the hotel and features a modern four poster bed, exposed beams, and views across the park. The heated 60-foot long pool is ideal for lording it up on lazy afternoons and hammocks and loungers are dotted around the grounds for you to use too. You can hire the castle in its entirety as well. The hotel also has a restaurant which is only open to guests—it has some great value local wines to accompany your meal.

This is a fantastic choice for those that like to be amid the action. Despite being located in the busy medieval city of Tours, it is surrounded by a large park—formerly a vineyard, offering a tranquil base from which to explore the city. It has 65 guest rooms and suites with simple, modern décor as well as a restaurant, swimming pool, and a spa complete with heat experience rooms. Its meeting and seminar rooms also make it a good option for business events. The restaurant’s spacious terrace offers views of the park and the 17th-century castle.

Get a taste of aristocratic castle life in this luxury chateau guesthouse which dates back to the 15th century. Once the former abode of Marquis de Lafayette, today this stylish hotel has ten guest rooms and three suites—all of which are located within the castle. All of the rooms are spacious and named after historic political figures—some of which stayed at the castle.

The Gilbert Motier de Lafayette is one of the castle’s most popular rooms, and decked out in Louis XVI period furniture, it has two enormous windows which offer unspoiled views of the park.

There is a hotel restaurant which is solely for hotel guests and serves indulgent, seasonal fare, such as quail stuffed with foie gras. If you want to arrange a private dinner, check out the music room.

Located right in the heart of the Royal City of Amboise, just steps away from the old city’s pedestrian shopping streets, this historic hotel was originally a 17th-century manor house. It has some impressive neighbors for those who fancy a bit a side of sightseeing with their morning coffee; Francois I’s chateau and the Clos Lucé—famous for being Leonardo da Vinci’s chosen residence. Situated right next to the famous chateau, its preserved fire places, cozy wood-paneling, and regal gilt mirrors provide a wonderful sense of place. The hotel’s 20 guest rooms and suites each have their own style, with plain walls paving the way for elaborate patterned carpets, grand drapes, four-poster beds, and exposed beams. Outside its swimming pool is fringed by fragrant rose bushes and rustling cedars. The hotel is surprisingly affordable and makes a wonderfully atmospheric base from which to explore the local castles and Amboise’s historic medieval center.